Oil Study - San Gabriel River

Back home from our 2-weeks down on the coast. On the way back, we stopped for a couple of days in Georgetown; John played golf with his son and I went down on the river and painted all afternoon.

SAN GABRIEL RIVER

9"x12"

Oil on Canvas

This is a view of the San Gabriel River, about 3 miles east of downtown. I decided to paint the scene in oil and it turned out pretty good. Mixing my own greens and earth colors, the only colors on my palette were Bright Red, Cad Yellow Lemon, Ultramarine Blue, Naples Yellow and Soft Mixing White. I'm still struggling with brush-handling but my paint mixing and values are getting better with the limited palette, I think.

Last day in Rockport - well spent!

"Roxana Marie"

11x14 Plein Air Watercolor

The art gods were kind to me this morning...barely a whisper of wind and I was able to complete the painting I started yesterday. Actually, today was the better day for light; something yellow on the deck that I couldn't see was "bouncing" onto the front of the cabin and also on the back. Colors were vibrant and the water in the harbor was beautiful. I photographed this painting 3 times trying to get the subtle reflected yellow. It's still difficult to see in the digital image, but there's a hint of pale yellow. I'm glad I went back to finish; it made a much better painting today than what was happening yesterday.

I can't believe how quickly the time has passed and it's time to go home. My husband and I both agree that it would be very easy to live here full time; maybe some day......

We're going to stop and stay 2 days in Georgetown. John's going to play golf and I'm going to get one more painting done; we'll be camped along the San Garbriel River. Should be plenty of subject matter, don't you think?

Still in Rockport...continued....

Another great day on the pier in Fulton Harbor! It was very windy yesterday; wind gusts at 35 mph...my paint was literally drying in the brush before I could apply it to the paper! I managed to find a shady spot but the wind was relentless and if you look closely, some of the strokes are a little "shaky" :-) I didn't even attempt to paint in the rope lines until I returned to our RV. 99% of my paintings are completed -all in one go- on location with no finishing touches in the studio. That little 1% had to happen yesterday; the wind just made my easel too unsteady!

"Noon-day Shrimper, Fulton Harbor"

8" x 10" Plein Air Watercolor

I talked to several people while working on location yesterday and if they checked this blog and found nothing, I apologize! I fully intended to upload yesterday's painting last night, but the wireless internet connection where we're staying was down most of the evening. Finally gave up and went to bed. So, here's my painting...a little late.

I only have today and tomorrow to paint so this post will be short; gotta get out there while the sun is shining!

STILL IN ROCKPORT.....

The past 2 days have been fun, fun, fun for me! Rockport and Fulton Harbors have subject matter everywhere...the trick is to find shelter from the wind and sun. Today I painted in the parking lot across from "Mom's Bait Shop". Sun was a little strange today; not bright, but not "hazy" either. I was successful in getting my umbrella anchored to the truck mirror and managed to get all set up.

My view from across the street......compare it with the painting below; it's ok, I think!

"Mom's Bait Shop - Rockport Harbor"

9"x12" - Watercolor on Arches 140# Cold Press

Yesterday I painted in Fulton Harbor...the painting below is the Fulton Bait House...my favorite plein air thus far....sometimes a painting just goes together effortlessly; this was one of those moments.

"Fulton Harbor Bait House"

9"x12" Watercolor on Arches 140# Cold Press

Later this afternoon, we're going to take a walk along a fishing pier...John wants to fish; I'll take my sketchbook along just in case that "perfect" composition jumps up in front of me!

Rockport, TX - Gulf Coast

My hubby & I have been on the coast for about 5 days now...sitting under the awning of our travel trailer, enjoying gentle Gulf breezes. It's "hot" by thermometer readings, but the wind off the water is delightful...if you're sitting in the shade. Speaking of shade, I found a little shady spot in our RV park that overlooked a small water channel, set up my easel, unpacked my oils and after 2 sessions (2 hours yesterday..... 2 hours today) I completed a nice 9x12.

"Inlet near Fulton Harbor"

9x12 Oil on Masonite

Oil Painting???

This has been a week for taking care of business that was pushed to the back burner during the paint out last week; paying bills, ordering painting supplies, doing laundry....and the list goes on. None of these things are very "creative" but must be done none the less. I've been getting in some studio time a couple of hours a day and finished a small 6 x 6 oil painting.

Yes, you read it right....oil painting.

Evening Glow - Oil on Canvas - 6" x 6"

For years I've been a closet painter in the medium; I think it's time I came out. This is titled "Evening Glow". A little different from my watercolor style....but also similar in colors, use of lights, darks, and contrasts. The thought process is opposite from watercolor and, to me, a bit easier...being able to apply the light source last. Color mixing is much more difficult for me though; I like for colors to "make & mix" on the watercolor paper and that doesn't happen with oil...it's a deliberate mixing process from palette to canvas. Working in another medium gets me out of my comfort zone and pushes me to experiment more. A good week in the studio, don't you think?

FIRST PLACE AWARD!

The weather this week couldn't have been better for the paint out in Waxahachie!  50 artists submitted 223 paintings completed in the 10 day painting period.  Below are 4 more paintings completed since my last posting.  The event was judged yesterday afternoon by Mr. Bruce Peil, and I'm delighted to announce that I was awarded 1st place!

"114 E. University" - 6" x 8"

This little "gem" won 1st Place in the paint out competition! It was late afternoon and I only had about an hour left to paint, so I decided to paint a small one.  The colors in the brick columns contrasting with the planters & greenery caught my eye first....then I noticed the porch steps were ceramic tile of various reds, browns and siennas with glorious sunlight splashed across them.  Everything was there and ready for me; color, sunlight, contrasts, & shadows.  I loved it, painted it "as is" and entered it at the last minute into the exhibition.  Sure glad I did...it's a winner!!  I'm pretty confident this little painting will find a home soon!

*****

"Texas Theater" -  11 x 14 

This landmark building was originally built in the late 1800's and has undergone several "face-lifts", the most recent in the 50's.  It sits on the north side of our courthouse square and provides great entertainment including live musical reviews. I painted it about mid-day so the shadows were more downcast rather than slanted.  It sold the next day.

*******

"Looking down College Street" - 9" x 12"

I see this scene almost every day as I'm returning home from errands.  In my mind, I've been putting this composition together for more than 6 months and finally got it down on paper day before yesterday.  It sold today.

*****

"Waxahachie Depot" - 11 x 14

This is an old railroad depot building that was purchased and restored by Nay Corporation and their offices are now located within.  It was quite a challenge with all the brick detail, windows and various angles; not a long straight wall anywhere! It sold today.

It's been a very good 10 days work!!!!  ............Did I mention before that I love my job?